Authorized Version of the Bible
In the Roman system of numeration it was (and in medical prescriptions still is) used in place of i as the final figure in a series — iij, vij, etc., for iii, vii.
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Where will you be? Anywhere UK & IrelandUnited StatesOnline slangBusiness jargon
autumn romance
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
avant la lettre
Describing something that existed before it was formally named or recognized
avast
A sailor’s phrase for stop, shut up, go away,—apparently connected with the old Cant, BYNGE A WASTE; or from the Italian, BASTA, hold! enough.
average bear
An ordinary person with no exceptional abilities
average joe
An ordinary person without special status
average up
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Avignon Popes
In 1309 Pope Clement V left Rome and transferred the papal court to Avignon, where the popes remained for seventy years of strife and confusion.
Avoid evil and it will avoid thee. (Strauss, 1994 p. 520)
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
Avoid Extremes
A traditional saying of Pittacus of Mitylene (652-569 B.C.), one of the seven Wise Men of Greece. It is echoed in many writers and literatures. Compare the advice given by Phoebus to Phaethon when he was preparing to drive the chariot of the sun: — Medio tutissimus ibis (You will go more safely in the middle).— OVID: Met, ii, 137.
avoid the pleasure which will bite tomorrow
Refuse enjoyable things that will have negative consequences later
avoir du pois lay
Stealing brass weights off the counters of shops. CANT.
awake
Acquainted with, knowing the business. Stow the books, the culls are awake; hide the cards, the fellows know what we intended to do.
awake
Or FLY, knowing, thoroughly understanding. "I’m awake," i.e., I know all. The phrase WIDE-AWAKE carries a similar meaning in ordinary conversation, but has a more general reference.
awareness of something
Knowledge or understanding of a particular issue or situation
away from somebody
Common English phrase; full definition pending editorial review.
away game
Sports event played at opponent's home venue
away goes the devil if he finds the door shut against him
English proverb; full definition pending editorial review.
away with the fairies
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
awful
A senseless expletive, used to intensify a description of anything good or bad; "what an AWFUL fine woman!" "awfully jolly," "awfully sorry," &c. The phrase is not confined to any section of society.
awko taco
Awkward.
awks
Awkward.
Awkward Squad
Military recruits not yet fitted to take their place in the ranks.
awky
Awkward.
ax
To ask. Sometimes pronounced arks.
ax to grind
a personal reason for doing something
axe wound
Vulva.
axis of advance
A military term for the road or track running through an area to be attacked and used by the attackers to maintain direction.
aye aye shepherd's pie
Yes.
aye aye, sir
used to acknowledge and confirm receipt of an order
ayo
A greeting.
b flats
Bugs.—Compare F SHARPS.
B Flats
Bugs; which obnoxious insects are characterized by their flatness. B. of B. K. Some mysterious initials applied to himself in his diary by Arthur Orton, "the Tichborne Claimant." Supposed to denote "Baronet of British Kingdom.'* For some time it was a phrase applied popularly to any- one who put on airs.
b-ball
basketball
b-flat
A bedbug.
b-girl
A bargirl.
b. k. s
Military officers in mufti, when out on a spree, and not wishing their profession to be known, speak of their barracks as the B. K. S.
b.n.c
For Brasenose, initials of Brazen Nose College. In spite of the nose over the gate the probability is the real name was Brasinium. It is still famous for its beer.—University.
babble
Confused, unintelligible talk, such as was used at the building the tower of Babel.
babe in arms
A very young or innocent person
babe in the woods
A naive or inexperienced person
babe magnet
A person who attracts many romantic or sexual partners
babes
The lowest order of KNOCK-OUTS (which see), who are prevailed upon not to give opposing biddings at auctions, in consideration of their receiving a small sum (from one shilling to half-a-crown), and a certain quantity of beer. They can, however, even after this agreement, be secured on the other side for a little longer price. There is no honour among thieves—at all events not among auction thieves—nowadays.
babes in the wood
Criminals in the stocks, or pillory.
Babes in the Wood
See CHILDREN. The phrase has been humorously applied to (1) simple trustful folks, never suspicious, and easily gulled; (2) insurrectionary hordes that infested the mountains of Wicklow and the woods of Enniscorthy towards the close of the 18th century; and (3) men in the stocks or in the pillory.
babies in the eyes
Recognized English idiom; full definition pending editorial review.
Babies in the Eyes
Love in the expression of the eyes. Love is the little babe Cupid, and hence the conceit, originating from the miniature image of oneself in the pupil of another's eyes.
baby and bathwater
to reject something entirely, including its good parts
baby elephant in the room
a smaller, related issue that needs attention
baby gravy
Semen.
baby juice
Semen.
baby powder
Cocaine.
baby step
A small, initial step in a process or action
baby up
to take care of someone or something very carefully
baby-catcher
An obstetrician.
Babylonian Captivity
The seventy years that the Jews were captives in Babylon. They were made captives by Nebuchadnezzar, and released by Cyrus (536 B.C.).
babylonian numbers
N-ec Babylonios temp- tans numeros (Horace: Odes, Bk. i, xi, 2). Do not pry into futurity by astrological calcula- tions and horoscopes. Do not consult fortune-tellers. The Chaldeans were the most noted of astrologers.
babysitter test
A measure of how well someone can take care of themselves.
Bacchus and Circe
The name is from the Gr. komos, carousal.
bacchus and venus
Or, A Select Collection of near Two Hundred of the most Witty and Diverting Songs and Catches in Love and Gallantry, with Songs in the Canting Dialect, with a DICTIONARY explaining all Burlesque and Canting Terms, 12mo. 1738.
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